Myth and Folklore: Cactus

Well, many places have seen their last wildflower for awhile, others have the stragglers, the last few flowers of the season. And I guess along the southern California coast, in the sagebrush places, the scrub and chaparral, something is always in bloom. In any case, it's the end of the season and the northern hemisphere is tired, in need of the type of succor only the short days and long nights of autumn and winter can provide.

Fewer wildflowers means fewer wildflowers to write about - I prefer to dwell on 'em when they are in bloom. And I'm kinda tired, too. I need some succor. With milk.

What I'm leading up to is it's time to parade out a few 'plant family' and 'myth and folklore' articles. I thought I'd start with a 'myth and folklore' article; they're always more interesting anyway. So, without further adieu, I give you "Myth and Folklore: Cactus."

Dominating an otherwise unfriendly landscape, cactus itself not an altogether inviting plant what with its spiny exterior, it's little wonder it found its way into the lore of Native Americans. You make use of what's available. And when some species contain powerful narcotics, well, you do what you can to ease the burden of all that unfriendly landscape.

To the Pueblo, the cactus has religious significance while among the Zuni Cactus Society, it is used in the ritual whipping of the newly installed chief. This provides the lucky new chief with great power and good fortune in the hunt. It puts him in need of a healing salve as well, I would imagine.

Members of the Hano Cactus Society also whipped each other into a frothy frenzy with cactus. This would induce bravery, create endurance, and freeze the ground so that they would leave no tracks. I think I'd rather just stay home. And speaking of home, the Hopi placed pieces of cactus around their home to "give it roots."

Among the Tewa of Arizona and New Mexico, Cactus Grandmother was passed from hand to hand in the winter kiva (underground chamber, often used for religious purposes) while a song was sung. During her journey around the circle, Cactus Grandmother becomes smaller and smaller, vanishing during her fourth circuit. She has returned to her own people. When the Tewa go to look, there she is, growing out of the ground, fresh and prickly.

And finally ... ouch ... at Acoma, which is near Albuquerque and is the oldest continuously inhabited place in the U.S., men rub themselves against a cactus carried by others. This helps them to achieve manliness. I guess that makes me a giggly little pre-pubescent girl, not unlike the boy my daughter lives with ...

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